Activity: DNA origami

Click here to download your DNA origami sheet, then watch the video below for instructions to make your origami DNA.

By doing this activity, you will see that DNA is formed of two strands, wrapped around one another. This is a helix shape.

The two DNA strands each have DNA bases (the A's, G's, C's and T's) - the order of the DNA bases makes up our genetic code! The order of A's, G's, C's and T's in you is unique - your genetic code is unique to you! The DNA bases stick out from the DNA strand, and connect the two strands, a bit like rungs on a ladder. A bases always connect to T bases, and C bases always connect to G bases.

In this activity the DNA you will make is very short, but in real life DNA can be very long. In just one human cell (cells are the building blocks of living things) there is 2 metres of DNA - that means the DNA is taller than most adults!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jOapfqVZlo